Brisk Lad
Faustus Lyrics
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In fact I am wondrous poor.
But it's I do intend my fortune to mend,
I s'll build me an house down on the moor, my brave boys,
I shall build me an house down on the moor.
My father he keeps fat oxen and sheep
And a neat little nag on the down.
But in the middle of the night when the moon do shine bright
There's a number of jobs to be done, my brave boys,
There's a number of jobs to be done.
For it's I'll roam around on some other man's ground,
I s'll take a fat ewe from his pack.
And with the aid of my knife, I shall shorten its life
And I'll carry him home on my back, me brave boys,
I shall carry him home on my back.
Then my children shall pull the skin from the wool,
I'll carve him up to the bone.
And when the constable do come I'll stand there with my gun
And I'll swear all I have is my own, my brave boys,
I shall swear all I have is my own.
The lyrics of Faustus's song "Brisk Lad" present a narrative from the point of view of a poor man who aims to improve his fortune by stealing from others. Despite the fact that he comes from a family that keeps fat oxen and sheep, and he has a neat little nag, he admits that he intends to roam around on some other man's ground and take a fat ewe from his pack. With the aid of his knife, he will shorten the ewe's life, carry him home on his back, and carve him up to the bone for his children to enjoy. When the constable arrives, he will stand there with his gun and swear that all he has is his own.
The song paints a picture of a man who is willing to take what he needs for survival and comfort despite the consequences of his actions. Through his distinctive actions, the "brisk lad" is portrayed as hardworking, daring, and resourceful. He presents himself as an anti-hero who lives outside the bounds of society's laws and norms, driven by his desire to improve his own life.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a brisk lad and my fortune is quite bad,
I'm a young man who's always on the move, but I don't have much luck in life so far.
In fact I am wondrous poor.
To tell the truth, I'm extremely poor.
But it's I do intend my fortune to mend,
However, I'm determined to change my luck.
I s'll build me an house down on the moor, my brave boys,
I plan to build myself a home on the open countryside.
I shall build me an house down on the moor.
I will make sure to build my dream home, despite my current financial situation.
My father he keeps fat oxen and sheep
My dad owns some valuable livestock.
And a neat little nag on the down.
As well as a nice horse that grazes on the downs.
But in the middle of the night when the moon do shine bright
However, under the cover of darkness with moonlight to guide me,
There's a number of jobs to be done, my brave boys,
I have some plans that involve making some illegal moves.
There's a number of jobs to be done.
I have a list of tasks that could get me some quick cash, but they're not exactly legal.
For it's I'll roam around on some other man's ground,
First, I'll sneak onto someone else's property,
I s'll take a fat ewe from his pack.
Then, I'll steal one of their prized sheep.
And with the aid of my knife, I shall shorten its life
After that, I'll kill the animal in a quick act of savagery.
And I'll carry him home on my back, me brave boys,
I'll take the stolen sheep back to my place.
I shall carry him home on my back.
I'll grunt and strain and haul that sheep all the way back to my house.
Then my children shall pull the skin from the wool,
Next, my kids will help me skin the sheep.
I'll carve him up to the bone.
I'll slice and dice the meat for food and also gather some bones for tools.
And when the constable do come I'll stand there with my gun
If the police ever arrive, I'll stand my ground and brandish my weapon.
And I'll swear all I have is my own, my brave boys,
I'll convincingly deny any wrongdoing and claim that everything I have is rightfully mine.
I shall swear all I have is my own.
I'll put on an innocent face and swear that I don't know anything about any missing sheep.
Contributed by Isabelle D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.